Can NBA Players Gamble?
Gambling and sports betting have always been controversial topics, and in lots of countries, these activities are illegal. In some regions, real money casinos where players can play and get real money as a reward are allowed and there are also regions where they are prohibited.
Is It Possible to Gamble in the NBA?
As long as an NBA player is in a country or jurisdiction where gambling is allowed they can play any of the casino games they want. They can play mobile pokies Australia on their way or different slot games online at PC, or they can go to a land-based casino. Alternatively, they can play poker among themselves or friends in a private setting if gambling is not allowed publicly in a land-based institution or online
What Happens to Players That Are Caught Playing Casino Games?
If a player is seen in a casino, or any other public place, paparazzi typically write a piece on it. NBA players were caught gambling many times in the past, some of the more frequently than others. This usually happens when they are in Vegas and want to enjoy their time there while playing in a casino. Some of the superstars that were seen multiple times in these gambling parlors are:
Michael Jordan
Charles Barkley
Antoine Walker
J.R. Smith
Charles Oakley
Sometimes casinos and sportsbooks want to use this opportunity to promote their brand. You can often see that teams and players get gambling sponsorships in order to be brand ambassadors for some of these providers. In fact, many clubs prosper and continue to develop as a result of these deals.
What Happens to NBA Players That Gamble
Given how gambling is a controversial topic, it's not always good for a player to be associated with that behavior, despite their personal feelings. Sports betting is not always regarded as the same as gambling, so a sports betting affiliate or brand ambassador doesn't look as bad in the press as a player who is presented to have a gambling problem.
The truth is that these NBA superstars can afford major losses, so even if there is news about them how they lost a ton of money, it's not like their career went down the drain because of it. Many people love casino games so it's not weird that NBA players enjoy these games. The only problem is negative publicity, and being called a bad role model.
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